Hudson Lookout Completed as Watchtower in New York

Kimberly Peck Architect has completed a Watchtower-like home in Catskill, United States designed to feature a cubic shape.

The Hudson Lookout can be defined by its modern cuboid massing along with the window arrangements that were specifically configured for maximum views. The owner defined it as a “modern watchtower” as it is located in the Catskill Mountains, which reflects the design approach of the residential space.

The client aimed to build a standout property located on a hill in the Hudson Valley. Hudson Lookout was designed to be rented for short-term vacation stays, which is a popular activity in the area.

The client came to Kimberly Peck Architect with the conceptualized form fully determined: the house is an extruded 20-foot (6.1-metre) square sited at the top of the small hill on the property. The owner took care of the windows’ configuration and random pattern on the exterior to take advantage of the specific views across the Hudson Valley.

The interiors of the home are organized in a non-traditional way – the kitchen, living room and dining room enjoy a higher vantage point and occupy the top floor through the largest window in the house.

Below that are two en-suite bedrooms. Each of the bottom two floors consists of an en-suite bedroom and bath, making the most of the vacated space.

A stacked steel staircase between floors leads to a roof deck, accessible via an operable skylight at the top of the stair, like a ladder.

The house incorporates energy-efficient solutions such as structural insulated panels (SIPS) construction at the exterior walls and roof to create a highly insulated envelope.

The ground floor uses a slab-on-grade concrete slab embedded with radiant heating, supplemented by a mini split system and ERV technology for heating and cooling.

The owner’s favourite room in the house is the master bath with its heating features and freestanding soaking tub. He positioned it in a way that one can take in the views and relax.